Long Term Test Results

The summer season is winding down and school is starting soon. . . so now is a good time to do a long-term evaluation of gear. Today’s post reviews gear from last year’s U.M.P.Y Award winners.

Champro PRO-PLUS Gold Super-Xtreme Lightweight Face Mask

I began using the Champro magnesium face mask in May, 2009 and fell in love immediately. It is incredibly light (less than a pound!!!) and very comfortable after switching out the standard pads.

The Champro is also surprisingly durable. I have taken several shots to this mask from different angles and it did not shown a scratch, until. . .one particularly vicious foul ball during a college game hit the Champro mask and caused the upper eye bar to bend. I contacted Champro regarding its warranty. Champro is a solid company that is committed to customer service. I learned that Champro has a one year warranty from the date of purchase that covers product defects. However, foul balls are part of the game and bending from a serious force is expected. Given enough force any mask will bend (but hopefully not break).


Wilson Shock FX 2.0 Titanium Umpire Helmet (Product of the Year)

The Shock FX 2.0 was introduced in late 2009. It contains many safety features and is comfortable. However, I do not wear a helmet while working the plate, so I can’t speak first-hand regarding safety or durability.

Ump-Attire Ultimate Umpire Shirt

Jim Kirk sent me a navy blue Ump-Attire Ultimate Umpire Shirt to test and I have used it for two high school seasons. After several hundred washes it looks good as new and I intend to use it again next spring. As I expected during my initial testing, the Ultimate breathes well and is well constructed. I highly recommend this shirt.

Honig’s Poly Wool Umpire Pants

I wore the same Honig’s Poly Wool umpire plate pants and base pants to every college and high school game I officiated this year. These pants have seen 30 degree ice and 100+ degree sun. The Poly Wool pants do not seem to suffer from the same fading problems of previous Honig’s models.

Despite the label directions, I wash my Poly Wools in cold water after every wear. They are also dried on a permanent press cycle. I have been careful not to over-dry these pants, and there has been no sign of shrinking or unraveling.


Nutty Buddy

The Nutty Buddy is an essential piece of equipment.

Umpires are fond of telling the “took one to the jewels” stories. Hey, I think these stories are funny like the next guy, but you know what? I don’t have a story because I wear the Nutty Buddy. When I do get hit (it happens to us all), it is not serious – heck, it isn’t even uncomfortable! I hope Mark Littell makes a billion dollars from the Nutty Buddy because it is truly incredible.

I have worn the Nutty Buddy for two seasons. It has retained its shape and has not cracked or dented. It is not hot to wear and is comfortable even under extreme conditions. I put it on and forget about it.


Ump-Attire Ultimate Ball Bag

The Ump-Attire Ultimate Pro Style Umpire Ball Bag was introduced in 2009 and has been a big hit with umpires. Jim Kirk at Ump-Attire sent me one to review in March, 2009, and I purchased a second bag a little later to replace the Dry-Lo Ball Bag sold by Jim Evans Academy of Professional Umpiring.

I have been very impressed with the Ultimate Ball Bag which boasts double stitching and a nylon interior. I have washed these bags a number of times in cold water and low heat dry cycle. There is no fading, no unraveling or fraying, and the Ultimate Ball Bag looks as good as new a year and a half later.


Wilson DaviShins Leg Guards / Diamond DLG-LITE Featherweight Shin Guards

I stopped using the Wilson DaviShins after testing the Diamond Featherweight Shin Guards. The Diamonds guards weigh a mere 13.5 ounces! While these guards are light and comfortable, I have experienced two issues with these guards worth noting. First, during an 18U summer “prospects” tournament I took a foul ball directly on the knee cap. The impact hurt, but was not disabling. My opinion is that the result of this impact was a little more serious than I have experienced with other shin guards. This is likely a result of the loose-fit design around the knee.

The second issue also involves the loose-fit design at the knee. I typically wear long compression shorts that cover my knee cap. However, whenever I do not wear a covering on my knee, the shin guard rubs at my knee and is irritating in the 90+ degree heat.


Wilson West Vest Platinum Chest Protector

I have worn my Wilson Platinum chest protector for three years. This protector scored best in my “amateur scientist” drop test and I can attest to its protective qualities. It is built like a tank.

After three years and hundreds of games, the buckles are starting to rust. I spray my Platinum CP with Lysol after every use and it does not seem to retain odor.


Reebok Field Magistrate Plate Shoes

I get more questions about my Reebok plate shoes than any other equipment. I was a big fan of the New Balance MU450MK plate shoes until I tried the Reebok. This shoe is very comfortable and has proven very durable. It has not separated in any area from use. I have not experienced an impact that is noteworthy. Unlike the Reebok, a few years ago I took a foul ball off the toe of my New Balance MU450MK plate shoes and it hurt!

I use Scrubbing Bubbles and Armour All leather wipes before every game and my shoes look good. I have been wearing these shoes for over a year for every plate assignment and they are still going strong!


Bottom Line

All of the choices for last year’s U.M.P.Y Awards have proven very durable. There were a few noteworthy observations, but overall I have been very impressed with these products.

Nutty Buddy Review

It is rare to find a product in the umpiring world that is so revolutionary and superior that it makes other similar products simply obsolete. The introduction of lightweight alloy masks and hard shell protectors are two such improvements that made umpiring a safer, more comfortable, and more enjoyable activity.

I believe the Nutty Buddy protective cup is an improvement that can be classified in this “revolutionary” group. The good people at Nutty Buddy, Inc. were kind enough to provide a Nutty buddy "Mongo" for my testing and review (special thanks to Lina Rott). I was able to test it out during two January indoor scrimmages at a midwest Division I college.


SHAPE
The first thing you notice is that it is not shaped like a traditional protective cup which are like narrow triangles. The Nutty Buddy claims to be “anatomically correct.” I claim that it is very comfortable to wear. In fact, I don’t think I adjusted the cup once. It fits snugly and comfortably in the right areas.The shape of the Nutty Buddy is wider and more “accommodating” in the middle of the cup. Most protective cups taper down excessively just were you need protection the most.


WEAR
The Nutty Buddy is worn with a mid-thigh brief or compression shorts underneath and a normal jock over the top of the briefs or shorts. The Nutty Buddy is placed between the brief and jock so it can adjust or "float" with the movement of your body.

A word of caution: follow the instructions for proper wear. In the first game I forgot my jock and wore the Nutty Buddy between my compression shorts and underwear. It was uncomfortable and tended to slide down making the cup protrude awkwardly. In the second game I wore the Nutty Buddy as recommended and it was incredibly comfortable – more comfortable than any other protective cup I have worn.

COMPOSITION
The Nutty Buddy is made of a very durable plastic. Unfortunately (I suppose unfortunate for purposes of this article) the division one pitchers and catchers did an excellent job protecting the umpire during my test of this product – consequently no groin shots. To test the Nutty Buddy’s protective aspects I asked my wife to hit the Nutty Buddy with a baseball bat. Really. No joke. After a few progressively more violent swings I was satisfied with the test, but for some reason my wife wanted to continue the experiment. . . I should probably take her to dinner soon. . .

Anyhow, the Nutty Buddy absorbed the groin shots and transferred very little of the impact to my body. Because of the superior “accommodating” design the Nutty Buddy offers more complete protection than a traditional cup. If you want to see Mark Littell test the Nutty Buddy there are plenty of videos on YouTube like here and here.

OPINION
Frankly, even if it was only as good as a traditional design cup, I would recommend the Nutty Buddy for its superior comfort. Craig Coppola of Nutty Buddy, Inc. tells me that a number of professional (and MLB) umpires are wearing the Nutty Buddy and give positive feedback. The cost is $19.95 plus shipping for the Nutty Buddy, and their website also sells compression shorts and jocks called "The Package."

The Nutty Buddy is definitely a Five Indicator product and recommended equipment for umpires at all levels.

***UPDATE***

I took a direct hit in the Nutty Buddy from a HS pitcher throwing upper 80s (inexperienced catcher missed the ball on a bunt attempt). Yes, it hurt and "the boys" were shaken up a bit. The hit did not delay the action and after dusting off the plate I was completely back to normal. One coach asked if I was hit in the shin guard. A fan asked if it was a foul ball because of the sound I suppose). Wearing any other product would have put me down and out. I continue to be VERY IMPRESSED with this product!